FIDE flag player

A FIDE flag player is a chess player who is unaffiliated with any national federation, and thus does not officially play for any country or national federation in FIDE-sanctioned tournaments.^[1] The flag takes its name from the French acronym for International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs)

 Alireza Firouzja (FIDE) (left) competing as a FIDE flag player

Alireza Firouzja is among the notable players who played under the FIDE flag. He formerly represented Iran but opted to play as a neutral athlete under FIDE in 2019 due to Iran's sports policy of boycotting Israel.^[2][3] He eventually transferred to France's federation in 2021.^[4]

Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia was speculated to be required to play under the FIDE flag in the World Chess Championship 2021 due to the World Anti-Doping Agency's sanctions against Russia in the Olympics and tournaments considered as world championships.^[5] He officially played for the Chess Federation of Russia (CFR) instead with a flag bearing the CFR's logo and abbreviation.^[6]

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, FIDE decided that "no Russian and Belarusian national flag be displayed or anthem be played in all FIDE-rated international chess events". FIDE offered players to play under the flag of their national chess federation, or under the FIDE flag. Since FIDE's decision, most top-level Russian chess players play in international events under the FIDE flag, including Nepomniachtchi at the 2022 Candidates tournament, 2023 World Championship and 2024 Candidates tournament.^{[7][8][9][10]}

See also

• List of FIDE federation player transfers
• Independent Olympians at the Olympic Games

References

1. "Regulations for Registration & Licensing of Players (effective from July 1, 2015)". International Chess Federation. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
2. Barden, Leonard (27 December 2019). "Chess: Iran's Alireza Firouzja, 16, bypasses ban on playing Israelis". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
3. Lipin, Michael; Yazdiha, Elham (18 November 2020). "Iranian-American Chess Master Urges Iran's Players to Quit National Federation". VOA News. Voice of America. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
4. "Alireza Firouzja to play for France". Chess News. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
5. Barden, Leonard (1 May 2021). "Ian Nepomniachtchi will not be able to play next to Russia flag against Carlsen". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
6. "Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi draw chess world title opener after flag furore". the Guardian. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
7. "The Official Statement of FIDE Council". www.fide.com. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
8. Doggers (PeterDoggers), Peter. "FIDE Condemns Military Action; Takes Measures Against Russia, Belarus". Chess.com. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
9. "FIDE Candidates Tournament: Drawings of lots and pairings". www.fide.com. Apr 28, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
10. "Russia and Belarus teams suspended from FIDE competitions". www.fide.com. Mar 16, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-30.